Today we read through Ezekiel’s most famous passage, the vision of the valley with the dry bones. Taking this passage at face value, just reading it out of the context, and not incorporating the other Prophets around and the chapters before and after, would make this a hard vision to understand. But, as we read on Sunday at the end of Ezekiel chapter 36, God tells His people He is going to someday remove their heart of stone and place in them a heart of flesh. This is also the exact same wording that Jeremiah uses in his prophecy from God to the people. Well, following this declaration in chapter 36, God gives Ezekiel a vision of dry bones coming together, having flesh and muscle placed on them, and lastly being given the breath of life so that the bones once again are living and resembling a huge army. This vision that God gives Ezekiel is another vision of the coming New Covenant, which is described by Jeremiah in chapter 31. This New Covenant will bring about a significant change to the people of God, in that they will go from dry dusty bones that have no hope into a living breathing people who have a heart for God and a desire that matches it. The valley of the dry bones is a symbol, parable, or vision that God shows Ezekiel to give him hope and show him the glorious future that God has in store for His people. As I read through the vision of God to Ezekiel 2 important truths catch my attention. 1-Everything that happens to the dry bones, all the flesh put on, the tendons placed, the bones brought together, and the breath of life instilled, is all driven by the Word of God. God’s Word is where the power is. God’s Word is what instills the life in His people. God’s Word is sufficient for all that the people of God need. God’s Word is what the people of God need to lean on, live off of, and have as the foundation of all that they are. 2-God is the one who give the life into the dry bones. Simply put, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. God does all the saving and it all rest in Him. That mean the people of God must look to their God for salvation and never anywhere else, including inside themselves. There is nothing the people of God can do to save themselves, because even the act of faith is a gift from God and is placed in the people of God by God Himself.

The book i read by Charles Stanley mentions about Gifts from God, most importantly; The gift of Jesus. Obviously it mentions faith as it relates to Jesus and as you mentioned in a sermon that Jesus was sent as a covenant with us. Truly amazing how these words are being set before, so that i can become closer to God.

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Tammy

8/24/2015 12:27:37 pm

I find it amazing that when I hear or read something from different people and hear or read it again from someone else, I know God is trying to tell me something. He's trying to get your attention and teach you something through what is being taught. Amen.

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Bruce

8/25/2015 01:35:44 am

About two years ago, a guy i worked with said that God put me in the position that i am in at work for a reason. There are several people that i work with that are good Christian men and we talk about God's word often. It seems clear now that i was meant to be where i am at work so that those good men could bring closer to God. Hopefully i will be able to spread his word as others have done to me....

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Tammy

8/25/2015 02:55:50 am

I am seeing that myself....our God places us at the right job or around just the right people in His perfect timing. And with me....he put a desire in my heart to go do something I would have never done otherwise. I am ao thankful for this change as it's helped me in so many ways and I am able to serve Him in a capacity I may not have been able otherwise. Keep talking and witnessing and loving who God puts in your path. It's no coincidence you are where you are right now.../both at work and church. Praying for you.

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Bruce

8/25/2015 10:41:10 am

I had a talk with pastor Jeff today and he said that see how god is working in my life is like a kid going to DisneyWorld for the first time and how there is just so much to see and that it's hard for a kid to explain all the good and joy they see. That is my feeling exactly.... I am glad that God is working in your life as well. I am also glad that he put you in life as well. I enjoy talking to you and hearing how he is doing good with you as well. I will gladly return the prayers...

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Tammy

8/25/2015 11:45:52 pm

Our God is good....All the time. Your enthusiasm is amazing. I like the DisneyWorld analgy because it's fitting. I can remember my kids and my husband's excitement a few years ago when we went to Disney....having never been there before.... and Pastor is right in that is how it feels when we desire more of God and His Word.There is such a joy in God and reading/studying His word is like nothing else on earth. Thank you for the prayers....Keep that fire going. :)

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Pasor Jeff

8/26/2015 01:22:05 am

Praise the Lord for you both and the encouragement it brings to see us talking about God and His amazing character!

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Bruce

8/26/2015 05:49:28 am

Praise the Lord indeed. It is so very nice to be able to talk to others on this blog. I find myself looking forward to it more and more. Looking forward to the day when there are more of us talking about the word...

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Tammy

8/26/2015 10:06:26 am

That would be awesome! Having a study going on here! And we can always praise the Lord....no matter the situation. I have fallen behind the church but want to jump ahead to Daniel and follow along better. Thanks for all the encouragement!!